Smart Home Insider

Andrew O’Hara recaps a packed week of Apple launches, hands-on impressions with the new iPhone 18 Pro models and Apple Watch features, and the latest smart home news that actually matters for daily use. He also digs into new beta changes, battery tracking tools, smarter security features, and several interesting product updates from IKEA, Govee, and Aqara.
Send me your smart home questions and recommendations with the hashtag #SmartHomeInsider. Tweet and follow your host at:
@andrew_osu on Twitter
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Sponsored by:
Copilot Money:  Limited-time: Get two months free when you sign up at copilot.money/smarthome and use coupon code SMARTHOME!
Hims: Visit https://hims.com/homeinsider to get a personalized plan that gets you!
Shopify: Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/homekit!
Smart Home Insider YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the Smart Home Insider YouTube Channel and watch our episodes every week! Click here to subscribe.
Links from the show
HomeBatteries App
Aqara FP400
Ostation 2 Pro Battery Charger
Govee Wallwash Table Lamp
Govee Ball Lights
IKEA DUBBELKISEL Cabinet Light Driver
Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: andrew@appleinsider.com

Andrew is joined by Dan Turk for a post-event recap focused on what Apple actually shipped, what it did not, and why that matters for smart home and ecosystem users. They dig into tvOS 27, the new AirPods 5, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, and the surprisingly compelling iPhone Duo, with a lot of discussion about Apple’s product timing and smart home roadmap.
We discuss Apple’s quality-of-life software updates, the camera and battery improvements in the new iPhones, and why the foldable may be the most interesting device in the lineup. There’s also a broader conversation about Apple’s smart home strategy, the upcoming home hardware rumors, and how the Duo may preview features for a future smart display.
Key topics
Dan Turk joins Andrew for a post-event analysis of Apple’s newest hardware and software announcements.
tvOS 27 gets a practical update pass, including faster app launches, better Control Center responsiveness, improved AirPlay behavior, Hi-Fi lossless Apple Music support, and Thread 1.4.
The new Apple TV remote app is getting its own standalone app, plus early hints of a built-in app launcher and top shelf carousel view.
No dedicated HomePod, Apple TV, or smart display was announced, which Andrew and Dan frame as a timing and PR strategy decision.
AirPods 5 bring ANC to the base model at the same price, improved water resistance, and better battery life and volume controls on the higher-end version.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max deliver major camera, battery, thermal, and performance improvements.
The iPhone Duo impresses with its foldable design, software experience, standby modes, and potential smart home implications.
Andrew explains why the Duo’s standby-style display modes could preview Apple’s future smart display interface.
The hosts discuss Apple’s launch timing, rumored smart home hardware, and the company’s broader ecosystem strategy.
Send me your smart home questions and recommendations with the hashtag #SmartHomeInsider. Tweet and follow your host at:
@andrew_osu on Twitter
@andrewohara941 on Threads
Email me here
Sponsored by:
CleanMyMac: Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code SMARTHOME for 20% off at https://clnmy.com/SMARTHOME
Factor: Head to factormeals.com/hki50off and use code hki50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026!
Shopify: Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/homekit!
Smart Home Insider YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the Smart Home Insider YouTube Channel and watch our episodes every week! Click here to subscribe.
Links from the show
Apple iPhone 18 Event Announced
Homey Device Firmware Updates
IFA 2026
Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: andrew@appleinsider.com

Andrew kicks off with a fast-moving smart home news roundup, then sits down with Mehul, co-founder of Matic, to unpack how his team built a radically different robot vacuum. The conversation covers Apple event rumors, new smart home apps, Sonos hardware updates, and then goes deep on robot design, privacy, AI, and the tradeoffs behind Matic’s no-dock approach.
Key topics
Andrew previews the upcoming Apple event, including the iPhone 18 Pro, a possible foldable iPhone, new Apple Watches, AirPods, and the chance of new smart home hardware.
Mehul explains his background in computer vision, including early work at Like.com, Flutter, Google, and Nest security cameras.
The pair discuss why Matic was built around a taller, boxier form factor instead of the usual disc-shaped vacuum design.
Mehul argues that most robot vacuums are automation without intelligence, while Matic is designed to behave more like a human navigating a home.
The show highlights several new smart home apps and utilities, including Overflight, Wallflower 3, and Threadalytics.
Andrew and Mehul talk through Sonos’ new Beam Ultra and Ace Ultra headphones, plus the importance of app intents and assistant integration.
The conversation digs into Apple’s rumored smart home push, including a possible home security and monitoring service.
Mehul explains why Matic uses on-device vision processing, local privacy-first gesture detection, and cloud-based language parsing only for open-ended voice commands.
Andrew shares hands-on impressions of Matic’s live activities, room queue controls, vocal prompts, and kid-friendly design details.
The episode closes with pricing changes, a six-month return policy, and the broader tradeoff between simplicity, intelligence, and maintenance.
Send me your smart home questions and recommendations with the hashtag #SmartHomeInsider. Tweet and follow your host at:
@andrew_osu on Twitter
@andrewohara941 on Threads
Email me here
Sponsored by:
Quo: Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://quo.com/HOMEKIT!
Shopify: Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/homekit!
Smart Home Insider YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the Smart Home Insider YouTube Channel and watch our episodes every week! Click here to subscribe.
Links from the show
IFA News Roundup
Order Matic & get a free year of bags
Overflight: Sky Radar App
Wallflower 3 App
Threadlytics App
Sonos Ace Ultra & Beam Ultra Announced
Homey Portal
Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: andrew@appleinsider.com

Leif Lindner, CEO of IFA Berlin, shares insights on the upcoming IFA show, the latest in smart home technology, robotics, and appliance innovation. Discover what to expect from this major event and the future trends shaping consumer electronics.
Key Topics
IFA Berlin's significance and scale
Latest smart home and appliance innovations
Emerging robotics and AI trends
Energy monitoring and sustainability in smart devices
Impact of AI on privacy and security
Future of household chores with robotics
Differences between IFA and CES
Upcoming product announcements and trends
Send me your smart home questions and recommendations with the hashtag #SmartHomeInsider. Tweet and follow your host at:
@andrew_osu on Twitter
@andrewohara941 on Threads
Email me here
Smart Home Insider YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the Smart Home Insider YouTube Channel and watch our episodes every week! Click here to subscribe.
Links from the show
Apple iPhone 18 Event Announced
Homey Device Firmware Updates
IFA 2026
Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: andrew@appleinsider.com

Andrew covers a fast-moving smart home news roundup before diving into the latest Apple smart home rumors, including signs of a new Smart Home Hub, a possible Home OS, and related accessories.
Key topics
Homey adds solar forecasting and export pricing
Comcast’s Wi-Fi Motion feature
Eufy’s new NVR security camera system
Shelly’s battery-powered flood sensor
TCL’s Matter-enabled smart lock
Malware found in cheap Android TV boxes
Sonos hardware leaks and Live Activities support
Apple’s rumored Smart Home Hub and Home OS
Possible pricing, sensors, and wall-mounted/tabletop versions
Highlights
Apple’s smart home roadmap is starting to look more real
Widgets and live activities may be central to the user experience
The episode also covers the smartest new devices and biggest risks in the broader smart home market
Send me your smart home questions and recommendations with the hashtag #SmartHomeInsider. Tweet and follow your host at:
@andrew_osu on Twitter
@andrewohara941 on Threads
Email me here
Sponsored by:
Quo: Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://quo.com/HOMEKIT!
Hims: Visit https://hims.com/homeinsider to get a personalized plan that gets you!
Smart Home Insider YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the Smart Home Insider YouTube Channel and watch our episodes every week! Click here to subscribe.
Links from the show
Homey solar energy updates
Sonos soundbar leaks
Sonos Live Activities
Android streaming box botnet Reddit post
FBI streaming box PSA
Comcast motion tracking
TCL D2 Pro smart lock
Shelly Flood Gen 4
macOS Tahoe leak
Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: andrew@appleinsider.com